Hi IKEA fans! Want to share a story from the Hartford Courant about the huge success of the New Haven opening. Story title was "Rush leaves IKEA gasping / Caught off guard, store has to improvise to keep things in stock."

They apparently have been "overwhelmed" by their staggering success since the opening. Many items sold out quickly, and they are restocking with a cavalry of 19 trucks, vs. the more usual 3-4 trucks a day.

Well, I don't know why they were surprised. Every time I visited an IKEA, my response to the "What would make your visit better" question was "Open one in New England"!! I've been there twice already, but won't go again till it settles a bit and the back to school rush subsides.

Next question on my agenda is why isn't there a Crate & Barrel in CT (currently there is just one, the outlet store on the shore). Plenty around Boston and NYC, nothing in between. Don't they know we're starved for shopping here? ;)

Who would have thought there exists so many IKEA devotees? I casually mentioned this thread at a cook-out this weekend and heard about so and so's brother who leaves from Providence to visit IKEA and checks wheather, traffic, etc. He's hooked. Also checked out "rizzuto's" information concerning Somerville's idiocy regarding the IKEA building and my Someriville guy was as disgusted about the politics as I am.

I wonder if the Stoughton store will be really large, can't wait. Thank you all for sharing your stories.